More storms, rain mean focus on safety

Officials with the National Weather Service are hosting Lightning Safety Awareness Week and urge residents to be aware lightning hazards as more storms are in the forecast.

Chuck Beckley

By KATIE HANSEN Daily News staff

Published: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 06:54 PM.

A week that has gotten off to a soggy start will more than likely get even soggier, officials said.

Officials with the National Weather Service are hosting Lightning Safety Awareness Week and urge residents to be aware lightning hazards as more storms are in the forecast.

Showers that dominated much of the weekend are expected to continue through this week, said Lara Pagano, a meteorologist with
NWS
in
Newport
. By Monday afternoon, parts of Onslow had received up to nearly 1.5 inches, while close the Carteret-Craven line almost three inches of rain had fallen. Two to three inches of rain is expected within the next seven days.

Pagano said the storms are typical for the summer season, but do include the risk of occasional high winds, thunder and lightning.

Pagano said the
NWS
recommends that when people hear thunder to seek shelter indoors and to wait approximately half an hour after the last roll before heading back outdoors.

Pagano said lightning is so dangerous because it can strike like a “bolt from the blue” traveling 10 miles away from a storm and striking someone or something. In the
United States
, lightning kills 57 people on average per year, and injures several hundred more, with an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

A week that has gotten off to a soggy start will more than likely get even soggier, officials said.

Officials with the National Weather Service are hosting Lightning Safety Awareness Week and urge residents to be aware lightning hazards as more storms are in the forecast.

Showers that dominated much of the weekend are expected to continue through this week, said Lara Pagano, a meteorologist with NWS in Newport. By Monday afternoon, parts of Onslow had received up to nearly 1.5 inches, while close the Carteret-Craven line almost three inches of rain had fallen. Two to three inches of rain is expected within the next seven days.

Pagano said the storms are typical for the summer season, but do include the risk of occasional high winds, thunder and lightning.

Pagano said the NWS recommends that when people hear thunder to seek shelter indoors and to wait approximately half an hour after the last roll before heading back outdoors.

Pagano said lightning is so dangerous because it can strike like a “bolt from the blue” traveling 10 miles away from a storm and striking someone or something. In the United States, lightning kills 57 people on average per year, and injures several hundred more, with an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Pagano suggests that anyone heading out on a boat or to simply go swimming should check the weather forecast first. It’s important to stay away from water if a storm is rolling in.

If a storm is coming and you cannot get to a building for shelter, Pagano said that a car can serve as protection from lightning as long as you are not touching metal objects in the car. It is much better than being out in the elements, she added.

As a part of Lightning Safety Awareness, the NWS in Newport will post information about lightning safety, the science of thunderstorms and more on its Facebook page, U.S. National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC, all week.

But lightning is only one concern when it comes to severe weather, officials said.

NWS officials said consistent rains this week may create a threat of flooding in low-lying areas, especially in urban areas.

When a flood watch is issued, the Jacksonville Police Department suggests drivers avoid area where water is covering the road, because it is impossible to know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground underneath.

“The most important advice we can offer motorists and pedestrians is to turn around, don’t drown,” stated Traffic Supervisor Sean Magill.

Six inches of fast moving flood water can knock over an adult, and it only takes two feet of rushing water to carry away most vehicles — even SUVs and pickup trucks, according to the JPD.

The JPD also suggests motorists ensure their vehicle is up to par before heading out on wet road — some important elements to make sure are in working condition are the tread on tires and windshield wipers. In the event of a collision, law enforcement agencies will check the condition of a vehicle when assessing fault — ensuring the car is in good condition before heading out on slick roads is a great way to stay safe.

“Speed limits are set for ideal roadway conditions. Drivers need to reduce their speed when the roadways are wet and when visibility is reduced,” said Beth Purcell, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety.

JPD also offers these other tips when driving in storms:

n Keep your headlights on. North Carolina law requires that you use headlights when driving in the rain.

n Clear sight is the most impaired sense in the rain. Keep your windshield and headlights clean and your wipers in good condition to effectively clear the windshield.

n During heavy rain, think about staying at home or remaining where you are at until conditions improve.

n If you must drive, reduce your speed and following distance, especially when stopping at traffic lights and stop signs.

n Make sure you have plenty of time to reach your destination, as travel time will increase due to the weather conditions.